Old Mutual has launched an educational Web site to give visitors access to information about step-by-step financial planning and basic personal financial analysis tools.
The site, which provides wide-ranging but uncomplicated financial planning information, aims to drive home the importance of financial planning and encourage people to take action to secure their financial future.
It is accessed from www.oldmutual.co.za.
Eugene Hartmann, Old Mutual Personal Financial Advice manager, says the site encourages visitors to start building a financial plan by providing useful, relevant and practical guidelines.
It does not replace financial advisers, nor actively punt particular products, but there are links to product-specific sites for people wanting more information.
"If anything this should make people more aware of the need to get sound, appropriate advice," Hertmann says.
"Most of the information is already available from a variety of sources, but for the first time the site consolidates it all in one place in a format that`s easy to access in everyday language. This site provides the context and information to make financial planning more understandable."
As well as providing general information about how to start a financial plan, the site includes links to nine life stages ranging from "single and starting out" to "retiring comfortably".
Each is divided into a series of events that typically occur during that time of life. This means visitors can easily select the planning guidelines most appropriate to their circumstances.
It also provides advice on how to deal with common financial problems and how changing personal circumstances can affect financial planning.
This situation-specific information is underpinned by general information on topical financial issues.
"Far too many people don`t have a plan because they are daunted by the thought of compiling one, unnecessarily intimidated by financial jargon or simply don`t realise the importance of planning," says Hartmann.
"We hope that by demystifying financial planning, providing simple, relevant and practical guidelines and easy access to professional advisers we can break down these barriers."
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